Joerg Kieser

Apparatus for producing shock waves for technical, preferably medical applications

An apparatus produces intense pressure waves as shock waves for technical and preferably medical applications, especially for lithotripsy and/or pain therapy. Acoustic waves of high energy density are produced through the use of pressure pulsations. The pressure waves are produced by briefly heating a conductive electrolyte, whereby electric energy is converted directly and very largely without losses with the aid of an electric pulse for the purpose of heating up the electrolyte. The apparatus includes two electrodes which enclose the electrolyte and are controlled by a power pulse generator for outputting sound waves into a sound propagation medium.